Sunday, January 31, 2016

This month's piles includes two review books and two books I bought brand new! The Aylett came to my work mail, unrequested. It appears to be a book on creativity by a science fiction author; I hadn't heard about it but I'm always interested in that topic so I'm looking forward to it. The Gurley was on the Blogging for Books list and I had not done one of those in a while. I should get to that one soon.

I bought the Koja because it included a Nathan Ballingrud story I had not yet read (I interviewed him for Episode 041 of the podcast). I've already read the entire volume. The Dinerstein has been on my radar for a while and I just went for it.

On a more personal, unpublished and unavailable note, my Grandma passed away at the beginning of December. I was unable to go to the memorial service, as were several of my cousins. My family made sure I got a copy of the updated memoir, which two of my cousins had worked with my grandma to update. I'm lucky in that I got to see her twice in the past two years, despite living across the country from her. I feel even more lucky that I have her story in her own words.

One memorable tidbit - finding out that her parents made liquor in the basement during prohibition. A little rebellion streak goes through both sides of my family.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

I had so much to say I recorded a bonus episode for the 50th episode of Reading Envy! I discuss my questions about romance novels, talk about three books I read set in Uganda, and reflect on my first book speed dating project of 2016.

The Gravity of Sunlight by Rosa ShandAll Our Names by Dinaw MengestuThirty Girls by Susan MinotBeyond the River Yei by Binyavanga WainainaThere is a Country: New Fiction from the New Nation of South SudanLife Before Man by Margaret AtwoodThe Town in Bloom by Dodie SmithAbide with Me by Elizabeth StroutThe Age of Miracles by Ellen GilchristThe Icarus Girl by Helen OyeyemiLife Sentences by Laura LippmanThe Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-OlsenVisits from the Drowned Girl by Steven SherrillThe Swimming Pool Library by Alan HollinghurstCrystal Rain by Tobias S. Buckell

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Jenny sits down with two longtime members - Caroline and Holly - of the International Center of the Upstate Book Club. We talk about our favorites, least favorites, and what we love about this book club. It's been a while since there has been a Reading Envy book club episode, so please enjoy! This was recorded mid-November 2015 but was put on hold for the end of year episodes.